Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
Airbus Industrie has begun making presentations to airlines operating the A300/A310 on a range of proposed performance improvements and configuration changes in an effort to modernise and extend the family's market life until a replacement can be developed.
The European consortium has told airlines that, given its commitment to developing the A340-500/600 and planned A3XX, it does not anticipate that a replacement for the A300/A310 will be ready before 2008. In the interim, it is looking to offer a revamped version of the twinjet from late 2001.
To improve the payload/range performance, reduce fuel consumption and decrease noise, one option being proposed is to fit the A300/A310 with the new 50,000-60,000lb-thrust (222-267kN) Rolls-Royce Trent 500 turbofan. The addition of a third choice of engine would also offer carriers commonality with the new Trent 553/556-powered A340-500/600.
According to airline sources, Airbus is aiming for a 925km (500nm) longer range and a yet to be determined increase in maximum take-off weight (MTOW). The existing A300-600R, with an MTOW of 174,600kg (384,600lb), has a maximum range of 7,700km (4,000nm) and 9,600km for the A310, at full 164,000kg MTOW.
For carriers already operating the Airbus fly-by-wire types - the A330/A340 and A320 series - improved cockpit commonality is a requirement. Airbus is considering updating the A300/A310's early 1980s-designed flightdeck with more modern avionics, Airbus FANS-A satellite navigation package and Sextant Avionique liquid crystal displays.
The A300/A310 is unlikely to be retrofitted with fly-by-wire controls, which will limit the extent of cross-crew qualification with newer members of the family.
Other options include fitting the A300/A310 with a more modern A330/A340 interior, lower deck passenger/crew facilities and a larger, A340-type, rear cargo door.
Some carriers have asked Airbus for more extensive design changes in an effort to cut seat-kilometre costs, including aerodynamic lift and drag improvements to the wing, and even possibly combining the longer A300 fuselage with the smaller A310 wing .
An eventual replacement has been the subject of a study undertaken by Airbus partner Daimler-Benz Aerospace, designated P305. This is one possible area of collaboration with China in place of the now defunct AE3IX, say sources, although Airbus denies this.
Airbus, however, has only now acknowledged that the AE3IX project is dead, months after the 100-seat project was deemed a non starter. It says that it is discussing another "large-scale manufacturing" project in China.
Source: Flight International
